Compared to the last report demand remains good, trade activity remains slow and prices remained mostly steady, however there was an undertone of strength to both grass hay and alfalfa. First cut alfalfa is right around the corner, 2-4 weeks out depending on where you are in the state. Others have hay hitting the ground although the crop is thin and only yielded 60-70% of normal. Worries continue over the lack of roughage available both now and into the future and brome yields, which are expected to low. New crop price remains elusive but will likely start off where we left off. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for May 16th Phenomenal rainfall totals led to significant reductions in drought coverage, especially from eastern Colorado and northwestern Kansas into western North Dakota. Goodland, Kansas, received consecutive daily-record totals of 1.50 and 1.12 inches, respectively, on May 10 and 11. Still, even with the rain, Kansas led the nation on May 14 with 68% of its winter wheat rated in very poor to poor condition. In addition, the rampant storminess largely bypassed some of the extreme to exceptional drought (D3 to D4) areas in a strip extending from southwestern Kansas into eastern Nebraska. The categorical percent area for Abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 6%, moderate drought (D1) increased to 10%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 11%, extreme drought (D3) increased to 24%, and exceptional drought (D4) decreased 35.5%. ** Prices below reflect the average price. There could be prices higher and lower than those published. FULL REPORT

Southwest Kansas
Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa steady, ground and delivered steady to 5.00 higher, movement slow. Alfalfa: horse, supreme small squares 14.00-15.00/bale. Dairy, 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good, Stock or Dry Cow 300.00-315.00. Grinding alfalfa, large rounds, 295.00-300.00, large square 3×4’s and 4×4’s 305.00-315.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies 345.00-355.00. Alfalfa/grass hay mix ground and delivered 310.00-320.00; Grass Hay: Bluestem: 155.00-165.00. The week of 5/14-5/20, 6088.75T of grinding alfalfa and 550T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas
Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, and alfalfa pellets steady, movement slow. Alfalfa: horse, small squares 325.00/ton. Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, 295.00-305.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds 295.00-305.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s 295.00-305.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered 320.00-330.00; Alfalfa/Soybean: ground and delivered 295.00-310.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein 325.00-335.00, 17 pct protein 345.00-350.00, Dehydrated 17 pct 395.00-400.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, none reported. The week of 5/14-5/20, 6,709.50T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas
Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa steady, grass hay steady to 5.00 higher, movement slow. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good, stock cow 260.00-
270.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds none reported, large square 3×4 275.00-285.00; Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares 170.00-180.00, good 3×4 squares 160.00-170.00, large round 145.00-155.00. Brome, large square 190.00-200.00 delivered. 840T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Dairy alfalfa and grinding alfalfa steady, movement slow. Alfalfa: Horse or goat, small squares 300.00-320.00, 3×3 squares 305.00-320.00 delivered. Dairy, Premium/Supreme 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Stock cow, fair/good 295.00-300.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4’s 295.00-310.00.
North Central-Northeast Kansas
Dairy alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, grinding alfalfa mixed, and bluestem grass hay steady to 5.00 lower, movement slow. Alfalfa: Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV; Horse hay, premium small squares, 12.50-13.50/bale, 3×4’s 290.00-300.00; Stock Cow 3×4’s 230.00-240.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds 250.00-260.00 delivered, large square 3×4’s 285.00-295.00 delivered; Alfalfa ground and delivered 280.00-300.00; Alfalfa/Prairie grass mix ground and delivered 270.00-275.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares none reported, large 3×4 squares 145.00-155.00, good large rounds 145.00-155.00. Brome: large rounds, 150.00-160.00. Sudan: large round 130.00-150.00. Wheat straw: large squares 120.00-130.00. Corn stalks: large squares 135.00-145.00 delivered. The week of 5/14-5/20, 787T of grinding alfalfa and 125T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

THIS HAS BEEN YOUR KANSAS HAY MARKET REPORT. THIS IS KIM NETTLETON WITH THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, MANHATTAN, KS

Ecostrat wants to buy large amounts of wheat straw and corn stover in Kansas. Their main customers are mushroom producers and straw processing plants. If there’s enough straw in a specific area, they can organize baling. Ecostrat is open to work with large growers and straw aggregators alike. Please contact Shamri Hamit at (416) -968-8884 x 241 or shamri@ecostrat.com for more information.